Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Training
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has many sources of information about LTCH QRP for hospitals and other stakeholders including:
- Training Materials and In-person Training
- Training Question and Answers (Q&As)
- Hospital/Quality Initiative Open Door Forum (ODF) Presentations
- Special Open-Door Forum (SODF) Presentations
- CMS Quality Partner/Vendor Workgroup Presentations
This page is organized to be a library of training materials available to LTCHs. Trainings added to this page in the most recent six months will display as *NEW*.
If you have technical questions or feedback regarding the trainings, please email the PAC Training mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the LTCH QRP Help Desk.
Introduction to the LTCH QRP Web-Based Training
This web-based training course was developed for those who are new to the Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Quality Reporting Program (QRP). The Introduction to the LTCH QRP course is designed to provide a general overview of the program as well as a variety of links and resources for additional information. Specific topics include:
- Lesson 1: What is the LTCH QRP?
- Lesson 2: The LTCH Continuity Assessment Record & Evaluation (CARE) Data Set (LCDS)
- Lesson 3: LCDS Submission
- Lesson 4: LTCH QRP Resources
Achieving a Full APU Webinar Training
A video of the LTCH QRP: Achieving a Full Annual Payment Update (APU) webinar that took place on Thursday, May 27, 2021, is available to view on YouTube at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm_GXYzlLzw. The training materials are here:
Social Determinants of Health Items Explainer Video
The Social Determinants of Health Items (SDOH): Determining When a Proxy Response is Allowed for LTCH Providers 4-minute explainer video was developed to assist providers in accurately determining when the use of a proxy response is allowed for SDOH items: A1005. Ethnicity, A1010. Race, A1110. Language, A1250. Transportation, B1300. Health Literacy, and D0700. Social Isolation.
Section A Training Materials
Transfer of Health Items Explainer Video
This short, animated explainer video is intended to assist providers in coding A2121. Provision of Current Reconciled Medication List to Subsequent Provider at Discharge and A2123. Provision of Current Reconciled Medication List to Patient at Discharge.
Section C Training Materials
BIMS Video Tutorial
This 20-minute tutorial was developed to assist providers with guidance application and interview strategies for the cognitive assessment known as the Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS) found in the LCDS 5.0. This video tutorial is designed to provide targeted guidance for accurate coding using live-action patient scenarios.
BIMS and BIMS Summary Score Explainer Video
This animated explainer video, BIMS and BIMS Summary Score: Stopping and Coding an Incomplete Interview for LTCH Providers was developed to assist providers in accurately determining when the Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS) should be stopped, and how to code the remaining items in this situation.
BIMS Interview Cue Card
This set of cue cards is intended to assist providers in conducting the Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS), as referenced in the LCDS 5.0 coding guidance. This resource is intended to be utilized as a supplemental patient communication tool that provides a visual reference for the coding of response options. More detailed instructions regarding the use of cue cards and the administration of the BIMS in writing can be found in the LCDS 5.0 Manual.
Section D Training Materials
PHQ-2 to 9 Cue Card
This cue card is intended to assist providers in coding the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2 to 9) as referenced in the coding guidance for D0150. This resource is intended to be utilized during the Patient Mood Interview as a supplemental communication tool that provides a visual reference to assist patient selection of symptom frequency. The cue card is offered in two sizes which can be viewed or printed here:
Section GG -Web-Based Training Series
This web-based training series is designed to be used on demand anywhere you can access a browser and includes interactive exercises to test your knowledge related to the assessment and coding of Section GG items. This training series consists of three courses:
- Course 1: Section GG Data Accuracy and Quality Measures.
- Course 2: Prior Functioning and Prior Device Use Items.
- Course 3: Accurate Coding for GG0130 and GG0170 Items.
- Course 4: Understanding Admission and Discharge Performance for GG0130: Self-Care Items.
- Course 5: Understanding Admission and Discharge Performance for GG0170: Mobility Items.
Video Tutorials Available to Assist with Coding Specific Section GG Items
These videos, ranging from 4 to 12 minutes, are designed to provide targeted guidance using simulated patient scenarios. To access the videos, click on the links below.
- GG0110. Prior Device Use with Information from Multiple Sources. (3:58)
- GG0130A. Eating. (6:19)
- GG0130B. Oral Hygiene. (4:25)
- GG0170C. Lying to Sitting on Side of Bed. (4:31)
- GG0170L. Walking 10 Feet on Uneven Surfaces. (5:52)
- GG0170P. Picking Up Object. (11:56)
- Decision Tree for Coding Section GG0130. Self-Care and GG0170. Mobility. (11:56)
Section J Training Materials
Health Conditions: Coding the Standardized Patient Assessment Data Elements Related to Falls
This 45-minute web-based training provides an overview of the assessment and coding of the standardized patient assessment data elements in Section J: Health Conditions and is designed to include interactive exercises to test your knowledge. To access the videos, click the links below.
Pain Interview Cue Cards
This set of cue cards is intended to assist providers in conducting the Pain Interview, as referenced in the LCDS 5.0 coding guidance. This resource is intended to be utilized as a supplemental patient communication tool that provides a visual reference for the coding of response options. More detailed instructions regarding the use of cue cards can be found in the LCDS 5.0 Manual.
Section M Training Materials
Assessment and Coding of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries
This 90-minute web-based training provides an overview of the assessment and coding of the standardized patient assessment data elements in Section M: Skin Conditions and is designed to include interactive exercises to test your knowledge. To access the videos, click the links below.
Section N Training Materials
Medications – Drug Regimen Review
This 45-minute web-based training provides an overview of the assessment and coding of the Drug Regimen Review standardized patient assessment data elements to Section N and is designed to be used on demand anywhere you can access a browser. To access the videos, click the links below.
Section N Training Materials
Understanding Coding for N0415 Explainer Video
This 4-minute, animated explainer video, Understanding Coding for N0415. High-Risk Drug Classes: Use and Indication for LTCH Providers was developed to assist providers in accurately determining whether a patient is taking any prescribed medications in the specified drug classes and whether the patient-specific indication was noted for all medications in the drug class.
Job Aids
Companion job aids assist providers in the assessment and coding of assessment items, and provide clinically relevant information to assist providers in understanding specific guidelines and clinical considerations that should be applied to coding these items. The job aids are provided in multiple file types designed for printing, viewing, or sharing electronically. An explanation of the file types is provided in the ZIP file.
GG0130A. Eating, GG0130B. Oral Hygiene, GG0130C. Toileting Hygiene.
Pocket Guides / Badge Buddies
Pocket Guides are intended to assist providers in the assessment and coding of assessment items and provide a quick reference for important terms and definitions that promote coding accuracy. These pocket guides are approximately 2 x 3.5 inches in size and are designed to be worn behind a provider identification badge.
Quick Assessment Reference Pocket Guides / Badge Buddies for Coding
- Pocket Guide #1: Coding for Self-Care and Mobility Items (PDF).
- Pocket Guide #2: Definitions for Coding Section J Fall Items (PDF).
- Pocket Guide #3: Pressure Ulcers/Injuries Stages and Definitions (PDF).
*NEW* Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports Educational Materials
CMS released an educational webinar recording and fact sheet providing an overview of the Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports that were released in October 2023. They also hosted a live Q&A session to answer questions about the report. To access the materials, click the links below.
- PAC Health Equity Confidential Feedback Report Overview Recording 10-16-2023 (27:33)
- PAC_Health_Equity_Confidential_Feedback_Report_Fact_Sheet_10-16-2023 (PDF)
- PAC_Health_Equity_Confidential_Feedback_Report_Webinar_Transcript_10-16-2023 (PDF)
- PAC_Health_Equity_Confidential_Feedback_Report_Webinar_Slides_10-16-2023 (PDF)
- PAC Health Equity Confidential Feedback Report Q&A Session Recording (40:23)
Updates
September 4, 2024
UPDATED RESOURCE AVAILABLE: From Data Elements to Quality Measures Cross-Setting Web-Based Training
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training course that provides a high-level overview of how data elements within CMS patient/resident assessment instruments are used to construct quality measures (QMs) across post-acute care (PAC) settings. The course also discusses the relationship between these data elements and Quality Reporting Program (QRP) QMs, QM calculation, and how to access reports and use QM data for quality improvement. To access the training, click on the following link: https://pac.training/courses/data_elements_2024/#/
If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the LTCH QRP Help Desk.
August 26, 2024
UPDATED RESOURCE AVAILABLE: Section GG Web-Based Training Series
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering an updated series of web-based training courses that provide an overview of the assessment and guidance to promote accurate coding of the post-acute care (PAC) cross-setting Section GG data elements. Each course contains interactive exercises to test your understanding. To access the courses, click on the links below:
- Course 1: Section GG Data Accuracy and Quality Measures.
- Course 2: Prior Functioning and Prior Device Use Items.
- Course 3: Accurate Coding for GG0130 and GG0170 Items.
- Course 4: Understanding Admission and Discharge Performance for GG0130: Self-Care Items.
- Course 5: Understanding Admission and Discharge Performance for GG0170: Mobility Items.
If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the LTCH QRP Help Desk.
August 14, 2024
NOW AVAILABLE: CMS National Summary Report, Executive Summary, and National Summary Results workbook for the 2023 Post-Acute Care Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports
In October 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released two Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports to post-acute care (PAC) providers: the Discharge to Community (DTC) Health Equity Confidential Feedback Report and the Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary (MSPB) Health Equity Confidential Feedback Report.
To help expand access to aggregate stratified results, the National Summary Report provides insights on aggregate (e.g., national-level) differences in quality by dual-enrollment status and race/ethnicity in the PAC settings. This report can be used as a reference by PAC providers who received the 2023 Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports. In addition, this report can help other stakeholders understand aggregate variations in the stratified DTC and MSPB measure outcomes. The Executive Summary of the National Summary Report serves as a quick summary of the main findings from the National Summary Report. The National Summary Results workbook includes the full set of results that were included in the National Summary Report.
The National Summary Report, Executive Summary, and National Summary Results workbook can be found in the Downloads section of the PAC QRP Training webpage for HH, IRF, LTCH, and SNF.
July 24, 2024
NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE: Patient Mood Interview (Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-2 to 9©) Video Tutorial
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a video tutorial for completing D0150, Patient Mood Interview (PHQ-2 to 9) and D0160, Total Severity Score. This video depicts two scenarios that demonstrate the coding of the PHQ-2 to 9 for the purposes of completing D0150, Patient Mood Interview (PHQ-2 to 9) and D0160, Total Severity Score. Two patient vignettes are depicted, one in which the PHQ-2 is demonstrated and one in which the entire PHQ-2 to 9 is completed. This video can be viewed through the following link: https://youtu.be/_JU7ABmbBGA.
If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the LTCH QRP Help Desk.
July 19, 2024
NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE: What You Need to Know: PAC QRP Key Program Updates – FY/CY 2025 Web-Based Training
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training course that provides an overview of key updates to the Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. This targeted training discusses new, removed, and revised quality measures, timelines for public reporting, and measure specifications. In addition, assessment guidelines and coding instructions are presented for a new data element: O0350. Patient’s COVID-19 vaccination is up to date. To access the training, click on the following link: FY/CY 2025 Web-Based Training.
If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the LTCH QRP Help Desk.
June 12, 2024
Invitation to join a CMS Health Equity Confidential Feedback Report Listening Session on July 31, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would like to invite providers to an upcoming listening session on July 31, 2024 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET. to discuss the 2023 Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports, which were released to Post-Acute Care (PAC) providers in the Home Health (HH), Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF), Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH), and Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) settings.
In October 2023, CMS released two separate Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports that show provider performance on the Discharge to Community (DTC-PAC) and Medicare Spending per Beneficiary (MSPB-PAC) measures. The reports showed performance on these measures stratified by beneficiaries’ Medicare-Medicaid dual-enrollment status and beneficiaries’ race/ethnicity.
The goal of this listening session is to gather feedback from providers and stakeholders on the PAC Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports to guide the development of future PAC Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports.
If you would like to attend, please register at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_y4vy8QZrQhuCU1lr3rZopA
We look forward to hearing your questions on the Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports prior to this session. Please submit your questions or comments to: cmshealthequitycfrsession@ketchum.com by June 26 and we will incorporate them into the session discussion.
January 19, 2024
NOW AVAILABLE: CMS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Document and Methodology Report for the Post-Acute Care Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports
In October 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released two Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports to post-acute care (PAC) providers: the Discharge to Community (DTC) Health Equity Confidential Feedback Report and the Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary (MSPB) Health Equity Confidential Feedback Report.
To answer frequently asked questions and to provide methodological information about these reports, CMS released the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Document and the Methodology Report. The materials can be access through these links:
Downloads
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Health Equity National Summary Report 2023 PAC Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports_Executive Summary_August 2024 (PDF) -
Health Equity National Summary Report 2023 PAC Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports_August 2024 (PDF) -
National Summary Results Workbook 2023 PAC Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports_August 2024 (XLSX) -
DTC & MSPB Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports - Q&A Transcript, Dec 2023 (PDF) (PDF) -
DTC & MSPB Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports - Q&A Slides, Dec 2023 (PDF) (PDF) -
DTC & MSPB Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports - Methodology Report, Jan 2024 (PDF) (PDF) -
DTC & MSPB Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports - FAQ, Jan 2024 (PDF) (PDF) -
DTC & MSPB Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports - Fact Sheet, Oct 2023 (PDF) (PDF) -
DTC & MSPB Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports - Educational Webinar Transcript, Oct 2023 (PDF) (PDF) -
DTC & MSPB Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports - Educational Webinar Slides, Oct 2023 (PDF) (PDF)